What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Counselor - York Hospital - Days position at WellSpan Health?
Schedule & Location:
Full-Time: 80 hours, biweekly
Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
York Hospital
Job Description:
Under general supervision, serves as a link between our patients and their funding options. Is knowledgeable about various insurance plans, including coverage and general billing requirements. Assists patients in exploring options for meeting their financial responsibility for payment of their hospital bills, including but not limited to Medical Assistance, Disability, COBRA, and Low Cost Family Health Plans.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Identifies and contacts patients who are uninsured or underinsured who may have difficulty meeting their financial responsibility and determines their ability to pay. Patients may be identified using Meditech reports or through referrals from hospital staff and physician offices. May need to spend time in other departments of the hospital in order to reach patients needing our assistance.
- If insurance information is obtained after the initial registration interview, verifies coverage, deductible/coinsurance/co-pays, authorization requirements, and other relevant information. Notifies Registration, Utilization Review, and HIM of corrections and additions.
- For patients with no insurance or high patient responsibility, serves as a resource to identify other payment or funding options including credit card payments, time payments(contracts), Medical Assistance, Disability, Veteran Benefits, etc..
- Collaborates with patients to establish payment plans in accordance with organizational guidelines.
- Assists patient with completion of Medical Assistance application if they express that help is needed.
- Maintains current expertise in services and funding available in the community such as Rx Assistance through the Volunteer Office and HRSI assistance with Disability applications and appeals.
- Accesses various insurance websites and initiates phone contacts as needed to check eligibility and benefits for proposed service.
- Serves as the financial liaison between the patient, hospital, physician office, and insurance companies to identify potential problems and assist in resolution of current problems.
- Composes and mails correspondence or responds in person or by phone. Responds to written inquiries within five working days. Responds to verbal requests within two working days.
- Communicates clearly and professionally with customers, both verbally and in writing.
- Processes payments and prepares deposit as needed.
- Documents activity and patient communication on patient's accounts; scans appropriate documentation to patient's account.
- Always displays proper telephone etiquette; takes complete phone messages to include caller data and response requested.
- Queues reminders and processes them in a timely manner, within two weeks of being generated.
- Researches and completes refunds as per policy.
- If insurance information is obtained after service has been provided, makes necessary changes to update all appropriate accounts so they are billed appropriately. Examples include but are not limited to update statement date/event, ensure account doesn't inappropriately get transferred to bad debt status, reverse bill and demand a new claim, comment on account regarding how insurance information was obtained.
- Prepares training materials and actively participates in departmental in-services and staff meetings.
- Reports any activity suspected as non-compliant to the Compliance Hot Line. Also reports to Hot Line any situation where a person of influence has directed the employee to adopt a process suspected to be non-compliant.
- Establishes and maintains accuracy, integrity, and completeness in all records, reports, and claims issued in conjunction with responsibilities.
- Understands and follows hospital fire and safety procedures for satellite facilities; knows personal role in case of fire.
- Maintains a neat, clean work area. Communicates housekeeping needs as appropriate.
- Utilizes Excel spreadsheet to track key performance indicators related to financial counseling and bad debts.
- Research best practices and implements new ideas to reach out to patients to reduce bad debts.
- Participates in projects to install or upgrade computer systems. Tests software as assigned to ensure accuracy of data and workability of functions.
Qualifications:
Minimum Education: Associate degree
Minimum Experience: 2 Years
Preferred Experience: Prior experience in medical billing, registration, or healthcare related field
Working Conditions: Subject to many interruptions
Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries
Occasional pressure due to deadlines for work completion
Skills: Excellent communication, interpersonal, and computer skills; analytical skills; able to work well in a team